Tank closure device



June 13, 1967 DE LACY g s 3,325,046

TANK CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Dec. 21, 1965 26 Q \& l W 31/J/' 9% /i CH2 42/x 50 I6/ 54 FLOW 30 I De Lucy FqFerris, INVENTOR.

FIG.3

United States Patent 3,325,046 TANK CLOSURE DEVICE De Lacy F. Ferris,Sepnlveda, Calitl, assignor to the United States of America asrepresented by the Secretary of the Army File-d Dec. 21, 1965, Ser. No.515,488 4 Claims. (Ql. 220-89) This invention relates to closure devicesand more particularly to a quick-opening, rupturable closure device forthe outlet of fuel system tanks.

It is desirable to hermetically seal packaged liquid rocket propellanttanks with a closure device which will resist high pressures duringstorage and transportation but which will quickly open at low pressureswhen the tanks are pressurized and the rockets started. Moreover, it isdesirable that such a closure device be simple and compact inconstruction and readily operable from a closed, completely sealedposition in the tank outlet to a fully open position therewith.

Prior to the present invention, it has been customary, when the fueltank is to be stored or transported, to locate a closure deviceincluding a wall-to-wall shearable burst diaphragm of thin sheet metalwithin or across the tank outlet, the diaphragm being scored or coinedcircumferentially and supported by a support element which extendsacross the tank outlet from one side thereof to the other. Thus, when itis desired to utilize the stored liquid fuel, the diaphragm mustinitially be unsupported so as to allow the same to be ruptured alongits score pattern. In this prior arrangement, in order to unsupport theburst diaphragm, it is necessary that the supporting element be moved adistance greater than the diameter of the tank outlet and the scorepattern. In this type prior structure, a relatively large supportelement is required since said element bridges the entire diameter ofthe tank outlet and, in addition, carries load as a beam. Thisarrangement has the further disadvantage of taking up considerable spaceaxially, thus, reducing the effective axial length of the tank.

Accordingly, with the foregoing in mind, it is the primary object of thepresent invention to provide a closure device for the outlet passage ofa fluid propellant tank which is highly effective for sealing the tankagainst high pressures but capable of rapidly opening the passage toflow when desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure device whichmay be activated between closed and open positions by remote controlmeans.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tank closure devicewhich i relatively small or short in axial length length so as to allowthe effective axial length of the tank to be relatively longer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tank closuredevice utilizing a rupturable daiphragm which device prevents rupturedpieces from going downstream.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of aburst diaphragm type, hermetic sealing element disposed in the flowpassage and formed with score marks which may be ruptured at the instantthe closure is opened or at a predetermined time thereafter.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision in aclosure device of a burst diaphragm having a supporting arrangementwhich is subject to shear rather than compressive loads.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a tank closure device constructed inaccordance with the present invention and disposed in closed,hermetically sealed position within a 3,325,046 Patented June 13, 1967fuel tank outlet, this view being taken in a direction as viewed fromoutside the tank looking inwardly;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIGURE1; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 in FIGURE 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts in the several views, reference numeral 10designates a cylindrical outet body of a fuel tank or the like fluidvessel (not shown), which body defines a cylindrical flow passageway 12.The direction of flow from tank outlet 12 is indicated (FIGURE 2) by thedirectional arrow in the downstream area thereof. Referring to FIGURE 1,cylindrical body 10 is formed with a substantially annular supportshoulder 14 extending radially inwardly from the inner cylindricalsurface defining flow passageway 12.

To completely close and hermetically seal the outlet passage againstfiow outwardly thereof during storage and transport conditions arupturable, hermetic sealing sheet or burst diaphragm 24 is disposedacross the cylindrical flow passage. Burst diaphragm 24, which ispreferably formed of thin sheet metal, is secured as by welding aboutperipheral portion 26 thereof to the inner, cylindrical wall of thetubular tank outlet body at a position upstream of shoulder 14 (FIGURE2). The upstream side (tank side) of burst diaphragm 24 is locallyweakened by scoring or coining. Score marks are indicated (FIGURES 1 and3) by reference numeral 28.

In order to support the scored burst diaphragm during storage andtransportation of the propellant tanks (not shown) and thus, to preventthe same from rupturing unintentionally, a supporting assemblydesignated generally by reference numeral 30 (FIGURE 2) is provided onthe downstream side of the diaphragm. Supporting assembly 30 comprises aplurality of generally triangular or wedge-shaped, auxiliary beams orplates 32, a single, wedge-shaped, main beam or plate 42, and anactuating rod 50. Each auxiliary plate 32 has a pair of side edgesforming an apex at the radially inner end thereof (FIG- URE 1). Each ofthe support plates is secured, preferably as by spot-brazing at 33(FIGURE 1), to the downstream side of the diaphragm. The radially outerend portion 38 of each auxiliary plate rests for support on annularshoulder 14. Main plate 42 is supported at outer end or base portion 44on annular shoulder 14. The main support plate is recessed (FIGURE 3)along each of its side edges to form a pair of elongated ledges 46,which face upstream toward the tank. Thus, one of the side edges,designated 31, of each of the auxiliary plates rests for support on aledge 46 (FIGURES 1, 3). Actuating rod 50 is slidably disposed in bore18 of protrusion 16 and is provided on its inner end with a recessedportion defining a ledge 52 for supporting the other end portion 45 ofthe main plate. To guide actuating rod 50, a guide pin 62.

is positioned in a bore 64 which extends normal to bore 18. The upperend of the guide pin is received in guide groove or slot 54 formed inthe downstream side of the inner end of the actuating rod. The outer endof the rod is provided with an aperture 60 whereby the same may beconnected with any convenient actuating means or remote control means.

To assemble the closure device within body 10, burst diaphragm 24 issecured as by welding about its outer peripheral portion 26 to the innerwall of said body. Support plates 32 and 42 are secured to thedownstream side of said diaphragm as by spot-brazing as indicated at 33(FIG. 1). Each auxiliary support plate 32 is supported at one end onshoulder 14 and at the other end on a respective ledge 46 of mainsupport plate 42 (FIG- URES 1 and 3) while main support plate 42 has oneend 44 resting on shoulder 14 and the opposite apex end 45 thereofresting for support on ledge 52 provided on the inner end of actuatingrod 50 (FIGURE 2). Thus, with the closure device secured within the flowpassageway in the manner described and illustrated, the propellant tank,or like pressure container, is completely closed and hermetically sealedto thereby resist high pressures developed during storage andtransportation. It is noted that, in the storage and transport position,substantially the entire area of the burst diaphragm is supported by thesupport plates. Particular note is made that substan tially all the areaweakened by score marks or score pattern 28 is effectively supported bysaid support plates.

When it is desired to transfer fuel, or the like fluid, through theoutlet flow passage, the closure device may be rapidly moved from theabove described closed, or storage and transport, position to openposition. Thus, actuating rod 50 is slidably moved outwardly of itsbore, i.e., in a direction radially outwardly from the axis of thetubular body so as to move ledge 52 clear of apex end 45 of the mainsupport plate to unsupport the same. The tank is simultaneouslypressurized upstream of the closure device. Accordingly, with release ofsupport ledge 52 from supporting engagement with support plate 42 andupon application of pressure upstream of the diaphragm, the latter iscaused to rupture abruptly along the score marks. Since each of thesupport plates is spot-brazed to a segment of the diaphragm betweenadjacent score marks, the same will remain secured thereto when rapidlythrown downstream against the inner walls of the outlet flow passagethereby allowing substantially free flow of fuel from the outlet passagethrough the ruptured diaphragm.

While the foregoing describes the burst diaphragm as being rupturedsimultaneously with application of increased pressure to the fuel tankand withdrawal of the actuating rod, it should be apparent that thediaphragm and its score pattern could be designed so that rupture of thediaphragm may be effected by application of pressure at a predeterminedtime after withdrawal of the actuating rod. Moreover, while the closuredevice is described herein as positioned within a tank outlet, it shouldbe understood that the device is adapted for use with other flowpassages and the device could as well be formed as a separableattachment unit for securement at its upstream end to the opening of atank outlet or the like flow passage.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of this invntion, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore,aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modificationsas fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure device for closing the cylindrical passageway of a tubulartank outlet body having an inner end and an outer end and providedintermediate said ends with a substantially annular shoulder projectingradially inwardly from its internal wall and a protrusion extend- 5, ingradially outwardly from its external wall, said protrusion having anaxial, through bore opening at its radially inner end into saidpassageway, said device comprising:

(a) a disc-like burst diaphragm made of thin, sheet metal and securedabout its peripheral edge portion to said internal wall at a positionbetween said shoulder and said inner end for hermetically sealing saidpassageway against flow outwardly thereof, said diaphragm being formedwith a plurality of substantially radially extending score marks in theaxially inwardly facing surface thereof; and (b) means for supportingthe burst diaphragm including a plurality of support plates secured tosaid diaphragm on the opposite, outer surface thereof and substantiallycovering said score marks and an actuating rod slidably received in saidbore in the protrusion, said rod having ledge means formed on itsradially inner end and connecting means formed on its outer end, saidsupport plates being supported at the radially outer ends thereof bysaid annular shoulder and at the opposite inner ends by said ledge meansthereby to normally provide rigid support for said scored diaphragm,said actuating rod being adapted to be moved in a direction radiallyoutwardly to a position so as to unsupport said plates at the inner endsthereof allowing said burst diaphragm to be ruptured along said scoremarks upon application of pressure on the inner side of said diaphragm.

2. A closure device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality ofsupport plates include a single, main plate extending diametricallyacross the central portion of said diaphragm and having one of its endssupported on said annular shoulder and the opposite end thereofsupported on said actuating rod ledge, and a plurality of smaller,auxiliary plates, each said auxiliary plate having one end supported onsaid annular shoulder and the opposite end suppored directly by saidrnain plate.

3. A closure device as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the supportplates is substantially triangular in shape with the base of each platebeing supported on said annular shoulder, and wherein each saidauxiliary plate is disposed in such manner that each of thetwo sidesexcluding the base thereof extends in substantial alignment with a scoremark.

4. A closure device as defined in claim 3, wherein said score marksextend substantially radially of the diaphragm so as to divide thelatter into a plurality of distinct, triangular segments and whereineach of said score marks extends radially to a point short of the outerperipheral portion of the diaphragm whereby said segments are swung inan arcuate path from its sealed position to a position adjacent theinner wall of said body when the diaphragm is ruptured.

No references cited.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

R. A. SCHWARTZ, Assistant Examiner.

1. A CLOSURE DEVICE FOR CLOSING THE CYLINDRICAL PASSAGEWAY OF A TUBULARTANK OUTLET BODY HAVING AN INNER END AND AN OUTER END AND PROVIDEDINTERMEDIATE SAID ENDS WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY ANNULAR SHOULDER PROJECTINGRADIALLY INWARDLY FROM ITS INTERNAL WALL AND A PROTRUSION EXTENDING INGRADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM ITS EXTERNAL WALL, SAID PROTRUSION HAVING ANAXIAL, THROUGH BORE OPENING AT ITS RADIALLY INNER END INTO SAIDPASSAGEWAY, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING: (A) A DISC-LIKE BURST DIAPHRAGM MADEOF THIN, SHEET METAL AND SECURED ABOUT ITS PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION TOSAID INTERNAL WALL AT A POSITION BETWEEN SAID SHOULDER AND SAID INNEREND FOR HERMETICALLY SEALING SAID PASSAGEWAY AGAINST FLOW OUTWARDLYTHEREOF, SAID DIAPHRAGM BEING FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLYRADIALLY EXTENDING SCORE MARKS IN THE AXIALLY INWARDLY FACING SURFACETHEREOF; AND (B) MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE BURST DIAPHRAGM INCLUDING APLURALITY OF SUPPORT PLATES SECURED TO SAID